“How can I experience joy in my Christian life?”…Periods of sadness and depression can enter the life of even the most devout Christian. We see many examples of this in the Bible.

Job wished he had never been born

Job 3:11…"Why wasn't I born dead? Why didn't I die as I came from the womb?

David prayed to be taken away to a place where he would not have to deal with reality

Psalm 55:6-8

Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest! I would fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness. Interlude How quickly I would escape-far from this wild storm of hatred.

Elijah, even after defeating 450 prophets of Baal with fire called down from heaven (1 Kings 18:16-46) fled into the desert and asked God to take his life

1 Kings 19:3-5… Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, Lord," he said. "Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died." Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, "Get up and eat!"

So how can we overcome these periods of joylessness? We can see how these same people overcame their bouts of depression.

Job said that, if we pray and remember our blessings, God will restore us to joy and righteousness

Job 33:26

When he prays to God, he will be accepted.And God will receive him with joy… and restore him to good standing

David wrote that the study of God’s Word can bring us joy

Psalm 19:8

The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living.

David also realized that he needed to praise God even in the midst of despair

Psalm 42:5

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again- my Savior and my God

In Elijah’s case, God let him rest for a time and then sent a man, Elisha, to help him

1 Kings 19:19-21…So Elijah went and found Elisha son of Shaphatplowing a field. There were twelve teams of oxen in the field, and Elisha was plowing with the twelfth team. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak across his shoulders and then walked away.20 Elisha left the oxen standing there, ran after Elijah, and said to him, "First let me go and kiss my father and mother good-bye, and then I will go with you!"Elijah replied, "Go on back, but think about what I have done to you."

So Elisha returned to his oxen and slaughtered them. He used the wood from the plow to build a fire to roast their flesh. He passed around the meat to the townspeople, and they all ate. Then he went with Elijah as his assistant.

We also need friends that we can share our hurts and pains with

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

It may be helpful to share our feelings with a fellow Christian. We may be surprised to find that he or she has struggled with some of the same things that we are going through.…Most importantly, it is certain that dwelling on ourselves, our problems, our hurts, and especially our pasts will never produce true spiritual joy. Joy is not found in materialism, it is not found in psychotherapy, and it most certainly is not found in obsession with ourselves. …It is found in Christ. We who belong to the Lord glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the human effort…Philippians 3:3…For we who worship by the Spirit of God (Some manuscripts read worship God in spirit; one early manuscript reads worship in spirit ) are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort,

To know Christ is to come to have a true sense of ourselves, and true spiritual insight, making it impossible to glory in ourselves, in our wisdom, strength, riches, or goodness, but in Christ-in His wisdom and strength, in His riches and goodness, and in His person only.

If we remain in Him, immerse ourselves in His Word, and seek to know Him more intimately, our "joy will be full".…John 15:1-11…"I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned.7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. "I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father's commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

Remember that it is only through God’s Holy Spirit that we can find true joy

Psalm 51:11-12

Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit (Or your spirit of holiness ) from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.

Galatians 5:22

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, and self-control

1 Thessalonians 1:6

So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord.

We can do nothing apart from the power of God

2 Corinthians 12:10

That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 13:4

Although he was crucified in weakness, he now lives by the power of God. We, too, are weak, just as Christ was, but when we deal with you we will be alive with him and will have God's power.

Indeed, the harder we try to be joyful through our own efforts, the more miserable we can become. Rest in the Lord’s arms

Matthew 11:28-30

Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light."

Seek His face through prayer and Scripture.

Romans 15:13

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.